In urging women to “mimic” the look of their bargaining counterpart, how would the author of this article counsel the 60-year-old woman negotiating with her 30-year-old prospective boss? Or a woman of color negotiating in a predominately white workplace? Or a woman wearing a hijab? Or a woman with a face disfigured in a car crash, negotiating with people who are unscarred and whole?

The BBC made the decision to hire Burnell; others obviously would not have. For those with disabilities not all barriers are made of concrete or stone. And some still block access to a seat at the negotiating table.